Holyoke Council Approves $2 Million EPA Sewer Grant, Tables Treasurer Appointment

HOLYOKE — April 21, 2026 — Holyoke City Council accepted a $2 million EPA sewer grant and passed a contested charter amendment 9-2 at its April 21 meeting. Acting President Iván Vega presided in the absence of President Ruffman Blurden. City Assistant Engineer Victoria Hull briefed the council via Zoom on the Water Infrastructure Improvement grant, which funds two sewer separation projects in the River Terrace corridor totaling $1.25 million in design contracts and a wastewater master plan, with construction in Area 21A projected to finish by May 2027. The charter amendment, updating appointing authority under the Municipal Modernization Act, drew a minority report from Councilor Penich, who argued the council should "do its job" and appoint a treasurer under existing rules before amending them away; Councilors Bacon and Anderson Burgos voted no. An order by Councilor Bacon calling for an immediate first ballot on the treasurer appointment — later amended to set a June 1 effective date for nominee Laura Wilson-Shaw — was tabled after City Solicitor Voisine cautioned that voting on a named individual without prior public notice could raise open-meeting-law concerns.